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Getting The Chop: How To Know if You're Ready For Short Hair

photo of woman with short haircut

It’s been a long time since you’ve transformed your ’do, and since you’ve been flirting with the idea of short hair. You’re so tempted, but haven’t yet taken the plunge due to the threatening cloud of regret you predict is on the horizon.

Having encountered this predicament countless times, our experts can equip you with the knowledge you need to clear away those gray clouds and to make an informed decision. Here’s how to get ready for short hair.

Look to your jawline for guidance.

Clients should think of their overall desired silhouette when they go to the salon, and that silhouette is usually oval,” Bertram K., an Austrian hairdresser and L'Oréal Professionnel international portfolio artist, explains. ”Everything about the haircut should therefore work towards achieving an oval face shape.

Your jawbone, with the help of a pencil and ruler, can help you decipher how to achieve this. Simply place a pencil under your chin horizontally and a ruler under your ear vertically, so that they are adjacent. Measure the intersection of the pencil and ruler. If your jaw is shorter than 2.5 inches, then short hair will boost you on your way to creating the oval face shape. Anything more? You may be better suited to longer locks.

For short hair, ask your stylist.

These are exactly the kinds of questions that your stylist lives to answer. If you are truly torn, then your hairdresser can examine your hair thickness, quality, face shape, and other factors in order assess whether or not a short cut is the best option for you.

“Body shape is just as important as face shape when it comes to determining the optimal haircut,” Bertram K. says. “For example, if you are short, it is not advised to opt for a very long hairstyle, as it will make you look much shorter—and vice versa”.

Short hair calls for more styling.

Many people think less hair equals less styling time. However, this is a common misconception. You may shave off a minute or two of the time you spend shampooing, but gone are the days of pulling your tresses into a lazy ponytail. Instead, you’ll be spending time perfecting your wax, clay and texturizing techniques. You’ll soon become a styling pro, but be aware that the “practicality” myth is all smoke and mirrors!

If you do decide that the chop is for you, then try Kérastase Volume In Powder as well as Redken Water Wax 03. These short hair superheroes will instantly add texture without the accompanying lengthy styling session.

Can you pace yourself?

If regret is one of your main obstacles on the road to short hair, then know that it’s not obligatory to head straight for the pixie cut! Indeed, hair stylists advise you to take incremental steps (especially if you have long locks), in order to slowly accustom yourself to the length, texture, and styling regimen of your new style.

One idea is to cut in a lob, then a bob, and finally—should you wish to truly commit—try out a pixie cut. This way, you can stop cutting at any point along the process. Crisis averted!

You just don’t want to wonder anymore.

If you still have an unsatisfied yearning for short hair, then there is a strong case to be made for just taking the plunge. If you don’t like it, then it’s not a permanent change.

Your strands will soon grow back!

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